By Lori Brown
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS — June 16, 2006 – The White Sulphur Springs Fire Department softball team was on fire Tuesday night.
WSSFD defeated the Woodbourne FD team 28-1 in an Eastern Sullivan Firefighters Softball League (ESFSL) game at Gary A. Bradley Memorial Field at WSSFD park.
The WSSFD offense was hot, scoring 13 runs in the bottom of the first inning.
The WSSFD defense was also playing well. The team prevented Woodbourne FD from scoring in the first two innings and ended the top of the second by turning a double play.
After stopping Woodbourne FD with that fine defensive play, WSSFD added another four runs in the bottom of the second.
Although Woodbourne FD was held scoreless again in the top of the third, the squad shut out WSSFD in the bottom of the frame.
But the WSSFD bats came back to life in the fourth inning. Carl Yaun had a base hit and then moved to third base on a single by Matt DeWitt. Josh Schwartz then hit a line drive down the third base line, which allowed Yaun to score. That was the only run scored in the frame, but going into the fifth inning WSSFD held a commanding 18-0 lead.
Woodbourne FD was again scoreless in the top of the fifth, while WSSFD added a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Woodbourne FD scored its only run of the contest in the top of the sixth inning. Tony Metnech walked and advanced to third base when the next batter, Bob Kopp hit a double. Joe Veldres had a base hit and Metnech tried to score, but was tagged out at home plate.
Moments later, Donny Corbit was able to get to first base on an overthrow and in turn Kopp decided to run home. Kopp safely crossed the plate to put Woodbourne FD on the scoreboard.
WSSFD responded with eight runs in the bottom of the sixth. Joe Decker had a base hit and scored easily when Mike Black blasted a home run over the outfield fence. Matt DeWitt added more runs by slamming a two-run homer.
Josh Schwartz continued the WSSFD offensive outburst by hitting a double. Joe Decker ripped a base hit to bring Schwartz home. Mike Black then smacked a double, which allowed Decker to cross home plate with the game’s final run.